New Telecom Bill draft: TRAI-ing again for that right balance

Posted on:
Key Points

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has initiated consultations over regulating communication services provided by technology companies..

Telcos have, however, been insisting that over-the-top (OTT) applications cannibalise their revenue by offering calling and messaging, services for which cellular networks need to procure licences and pay for spectrum..

A new draft telecom bill has brought OTT apps into its ambit, although GoI has clarified this is not designed to impose 'same service, same rules'..

The intent is to regulate OTT communications services to protect users on the lines permitted by existing laws and court rulings on interception..

OTT apps are regulated by the infotech law, and transferring existing provisions to the telecom bill will do no harm..

Full story at The Economic Times | 

You might be interested in

TRAI seeks views to control OTT communication apps

09, Jul, 23

Three years after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) negated the need for a dedicated regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) communication services like WhatsApp, Zoom, Facetime, Signal, Telegram and Google Meet, TRAI has now initiated consultations on how these services can be re

Read at The Tribune India Key Points

India to allot satellite internet airwaves without auction in win for Elon Musk

18, Dec, 23

The proposal was included in a new draft bill for the telecommunications sector, which seeks to replace the 138-year old Indian Telegraph Act that currently governs the sector

Read at mint Key Points

Race on for satellite broadband in India

19, Dec, 23

Bharti Group-backed OneWeb, Jio Satellite Communications and Elon Musk’s Starlink are all preparing for commercial launches

Read at mint Key Points

Trai’s proposal to regulate OTT concerning, may threaten privacy, end encryption: Experts

12, Jul, 23

OTT services are currently regulated under the IT Act, which will soon be replaced by the proposed Digital India Bill.

Read at Economic Times Key Points

Modi unveils 6G test bed with 2030 target

22, Mar, 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released a vision document that details India’s plans to develop and launch 6G (or 6th generation) telecom services, a move that comes, he added, just around six months after the roll-out of 5G services | Latest News India

Read at Hindustan Times Key Points

TRAI meets RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and telecom operators to tackle spam calls, ensure consumer protection

15, Jun, 24

New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) convened a pivotal meeting today, bringing together representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), over 25 banks, including government, private, and global entities, as […]

Read at ThePrint Key Points

To regulate OTT apps or not? Trai begins consultation process

08, Jul, 23

India's Telecom Regulatory Authority has begun a consultation to determine whether over-the-top (OTT) apps such as WhatsApp and Signal should be regulated. The issue has long pitted telecoms companies against app makers as the service doesn't require a security or financial investment. In the latest consultation, Trai has listed 14 points including defining OTTs, asking if they need to be regulated, and what fines or regulations should be in place if warranted.

Read at Economic Times Key Points